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The Open University (OU) has collaborated with NatWest and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to relaunch the Open Business Creators Fund, a countrywide initiative providing preliminary women entrepreneurs with financial assistance, mentorship, and access to educational resources.
Introduced in a video message by Baroness Martha Lane Fox, Chancellor of The Open University, the competition grants individuals up to £2,500, supported by £50,000 in sponsorship from NatWest.
The fund is accessible to women and those who identify as women aged 16 and older residing anywhere in the UK, aimed at assisting those in the conceptual or nascent phases of launching a business.
“This transcends a mere competition – it’s a springboard for women entrepreneurs,” expressed Chaitali Patel, Head of Prospects at The Open University. “With the backing of our Validate platform, every contender departs with a more robust, clearer business idea and the assurance to advance it.”
A learning-oriented approach to entrepreneurship
What differentiates this initiative is that every applicant is escorted through the OU’s Validate business development platform — an interactive resource that aids users in refining and validating their business concepts.
Validate guides participants in pinpointing customer requirements, crafting value propositions, recognizing key partners and resources, and assembling a professional business portfolio. The finalized portfolio then becomes part of the fund application, meaning even applicants who don’t receive a grant acquire practical skills and a concrete business plan.
The initiative builds upon The Open University’s enduring dedication to inclusive, accessible entrepreneurship, assisting in dismantling the obstacles often encountered by women, people of color, and those from lower-income backgrounds when embarking on business ventures.
In addition to the funding competition, the OU and NatWest will facilitate a three-part webinar series throughout October and November — free and open to everyone — designed to motivate and equip emerging founders with practical skills.
The series, centered on Confidence, Capabilities, and Connections, showcases prominent entrepreneurs, scholars, and industry mentors:
Webinar 1: Confidence – Tuesday, 21 October (12:00–13:00)
Mags Byrne, Entrepreneur in Residence at The Open University, and Stef Genesis, a trailblazer in the esports sector, will share their experiences. Liz Moody from OU Business School will conduct a hands-on workshop to assist participants in refining and enhancing their business ideas.
Webinar 2: Capabilities – Wednesday, 5 November (12:00–13:00)
Ronke Maye, the founder of Ronke Maye Ltd, will address audience engagement and building relationships, followed by NatWest specialists discussing cost management and revenue forecasting.
Webinar 3: Connections – Tuesday, 18 November (19:00–20:00)
An engaging panel including Soyna Barlow, Justice Williams, Claudine Reid MBE, and OU Entrepreneur in Residence Russell Dalgleish will delve into networking, visibility, and collaboration.
Anyone can sign up for the webinars via the Open Business Creators website.
Applications remain open until 21 November
To apply, participants must finalize their Validate portfolio and submit it through the Open Business Creators entry form by midnight on Friday, 21 November 2025. Winners will be revealed on 19 December 2025.
The competition offers more than just financial support — it’s intended to cultivate a sense of community among new founders, linking them with role models and professional networks via NatWest’s Enterprise team and The Open University’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Patel emphasized that the initiative signifies a broader movement to democratize access to entrepreneurship: “Everyone ought to have the opportunity to transform an idea into a viable business — not just those with established networks or resources. This fund aims to level the playing field.”
The fund’s reintroduction arrives amid growing interest in female entrepreneurship, with women launching businesses at unprecedented rates yet still grappling with notable disparities in access to funding.
By merging NatWest’s business acumen with the OU’s educational and mentorship framework, the partnership seeks to empower women from all walks of life to establish sustainable, scalable ventures — thereby enhancing the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape.
To discover more and apply, visit: Open Business Creators Fund
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